Artist-Founded, Studio-Built Panels
Painting panels designed and developed in Tom Applegate’s studio, shaped by original artwork and material-driven experimentation.
Sierra Art Panels
Hand Crafted, Slim profile. Light weight. Greater stability.
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Slim Profile Laminated Panel Construction
Slim profile panels are a solid laminated core rather than a cradle. Each panel is constructed by laminating two 1/8-inch sheets of hardwood plywood into a unified 6-ply structure. This creates a dense, stable panel with exceptional strength and stiffness relative to its thickness. By bonding the layers into a single composite, the panel resists flexing and movement while maintaining a clean, minimal profile. The result is a lightweight, rigid panel that stays flat and true over time—ideal for smaller works up to 20 × 24 inches where a cradle is unnecessary but structural integrity still matters.
Hybrid Cradle + Internal Truss Construction
Sierra Art Panels are handcrafted one by one in my studio, in the California foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Each panel is a collaboration between engineering, tradition, and a painter’s instinct. I build my cradled panels using a hybrid cradle and internal truss system. Each panel has a traditional perimeter cradle, but inside I add an internal cross-braced structure that distributes stress across the entire surface. This allows the cradle to be slimmer and lighter while improving stiffness and resistance to warping over time. The result is a thinner-profile panel that stays flat, feels solid, and holds up beautifully—especially in larger sizes.
Try Sierra Art Panels
We’re offering a limited selection of Sierra Art Panels at a special introductory price. If you’ve been curious about our surfaces, this is a simple way to try them in your own studio — at a lower cost, with no compromise in quality.
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Artwork Created on Sierra Art Panels
Tom Applegate
Tom Applegate's Studio is a working place built around materials, discipline and long-term practice. Paintings, panels, and built objects are produced side by side, each shaped by the same attention to structure, durability, and environment. The studio operates as a unified practice of art and craft. Learn more about Tom's work at tomapplegateart.com.
Sandra J Schultz
"These are the beast panels I have ever used, and now the only ones I paint on".
Learn more about Sandra's work at sandrajschultz.com.
Work With Us
Whether you’re sourcing high-quality panels, developing a project, or exploring custom fabrication, we’d love to collaborate. Sierra Art Panels is a studio-based workshop focused on craftsmanship, durability, and intentional design. Reach out to discuss custom panels or project partnerships.